Quiet small inverter March 02, 2009, 07:45:36 am Yahoo Message Number: 99766I returned the B&D 400 watt inverter. Just can't stand the fan noise. I used to have a small 150 watt inverter bought at a truck stop. It's very quiet works reliably for over 10 years before dying a few year ago. I need a new one, 200 to 400 watt. Which one do you recommend based on your personal experience?Thanks,Sam
Re: Quiet small inverter Reply #1 – March 02, 2009, 08:44:27 am Yahoo Message Number: 99767Quote I returned the B&D 400 watt inverter. Just can't stand the fan noise. Used near the 400W output, an inverter will draw 35 to 40 Amps from the battery. This requires mounting very close to the battery and with large-gauge cabling. Anything less, and the input voltage will drop to the point where excessive heating is likely, causing the fan to run continuously or the inverter to turn off. Lower-powered inverters without a fan will simply turn off at a higher input voltage, but can be run at their lower output from a 12V socket. What do you need the 400W to operate?Steve
Re: Quiet small inverter Reply #2 – March 02, 2009, 01:05:20 pm Yahoo Message Number: 99779QuoteUsed near the 400W output, an inverter will draw 35 to 40 Amps from the battery. This requires mounting very close to the battery and with large-gauge cabling. Anything less, and the input voltage will drop to the point where excessive heating is likely, causing the fan to run continuously or the inverter to turn off. Lower-powered inverters without a fan will simply turn off at a higher input voltage, but can be run at their lower output from a 12V socket. What do you need the 400W to operate? Steve, even with a small 40w load, the fan is still very noisy. I tried it both directly connected to battery and plugged into the standard 12V outlet. I actually don't have a need for 400w yet. Right now, I will mainly used it to recharge my laptop, 40w if laptop is off, 70w if on.Sam
Quiet small inverter Reply #3 – March 02, 2009, 07:03:54 pm Yahoo Message Number: 99807I mounted my 400W inverter in the storage compartment next to the batteries in my SOB. A little inconvenient, but I can't hear the fan. Short 12V run to the batteries with an on/off switch.Glen w/SOB[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Quiet small inverter Reply #4 – March 02, 2009, 07:26:06 pm Yahoo Message Number: 99810Quote I mounted my 400W inverter in the storage compartment next to the batteries in my SOB. A little inconvenient, but I can't hear the fan. Short 12V runQuoteto the batteries with an on/off switch. Good idea, Glen. If I can't find a quiet one, I'll use your trick. Thanks,Sam
Re: Quiet small inverter Reply #5 – March 05, 2009, 09:56:53 pm Yahoo Message Number: 100037Quote from: Sam"Update: I found it. It's the Xantrex XPower Inverter 400. The cooling fan does not come on until the draw reaches 80 watts. Most of the time, I will be using 40 to 70 watts, so it'll be quiet.Here's the user's manual. It's on page 7. http://www.xantrex.com/web/id/960/docserve.aspxSam